Three Rest Stops Between SoCal & Arizona

So many miles, so many rest stops.

Outside of the San Gabriel Valley but before Palm Springs on Interstate 10, I found that the winter rains have been a source of massive greenery on the hills.

Out in the Mojave Desert, the mountains are sharp, barren, and raw. You might as well be on Mars! Except, of course, for the air and tumbleweeds and 100°+ temperatures…

Once we got into Arizona there was a huge change. California’s rest stops suck. Old, beat up, filthy, or simply closed. Arizona’s are much better, both in design and in maintenance standards.

Sunset finally caught us about 90 minutes out of Phoenix.

You hit a certain age and you need to automatically add 30% to the Google Maps travel time since if you’re smart you’ll NEVER pass a rest stop. I’m there!